Partition unit and construction



May 1927' u. c. THIES PARTITION UNIT AND CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'i JL alioz e11 I I 1,629,367 May 17,1927. 7 U c. THIES v PARTITION UNIT AND CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Urban C Thea Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES A 1,629,367 PATENT. OFFICE.

URBAN C. THIES, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ROBERT E. COWDEN, RECEIVER, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

PARTITION UNIT AND CONSTRUCTION. I

Application filed February This invention relates to improvements in structural parts as used in building metallic partitions and the'like, and in the construction of a metallic composite partition.

An object of the invention is to provide a partition which may be readily assembled and disassembled and which may be located in any desirable position within a building.

A further object is to provide a structural member capable of a variety of uses, and which is provided with end extensions ,capable of being detachahly fastened in an interlocking manner to other similar extensions of other members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a partition which is made of a minimum number of like parts which may be assembled in a variety of ways by suitably arranging the means for attachment of the various parts in a reversible manner.

A further object is the provision of a novel means for attaching the u r'ghts and crossrails of the partition at t eir ends, by the provision of extensions at the ends of the parts so shaped that they are adapted to be easily connected together. These extensions are of elongated hollow construction so that they may be aligned with other similar extensions of other structural parts and held together by a member passing through in a direction transverse of the partition. The

extensions are provided in pairs on the ends of the parts in a manner so that an exactly similar part. may be attached to it.

A further object is the construction of the uprights and cross-rails in a rectangular form. these cross-rails having three closed sides formed of rigid sheet metal and having the fourth side open along its length at the center only, to provide flanges extending from the edges toward each other, by means of which the panels, glass retainers or other structural parts of the partition may be held in place. The flanges mentioned are provided with a series of groups of holes syn'nnetrically spaced from the ends of the parts, there being a large and a small hole in each group 'so that the large hole may receive the head of an attaching bolt passing through the small hole of a mating crossrail or upright, placed back to back therewith.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a partition or similar structural frame, formed of a series of uprights and 19, 1926. SeriaI No. 89,347.

cross-rails arranged in pairs with the members ofa pair placed back to back, with means for attaching the panels and glass retainers therebetween in a concealed manner.

Further objects of the invention will be more fully set forth as the description of one embodiment of my invention proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of one of the uprights or cross-rails which make up the frame of the partition.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3-is an-end view of two cross-rails showing the method of attachment to each other.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a partition :onstructed in accordance with my invenion.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of an upright showing means by which it may be attached to the floor.

Fig. 6 is a view of an attaching clip or curl plate as used in Fig. 5. i

7 is a vertical section throu h a pair of cross-rails showing one means y which the upper panel may be attached to the ceiling.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken through two pairs of uprights where they are attached together to form the joint for two intersecting partitions.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of two attached structural parts or units embodying integral en'd extensions, and

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of thejoint of four intersecting cross-rails and uprights Referring more particularly to the drawings by reference numerals, 1 indicates a unit, either an upright or a cross-rail, which is formed of a piece of sheet metal bent into a hollow square. having the three sides 2, 3, and 4 closed and the fourth side open at 5 along its length at the center to provide two flanges 6 and 7, extending inwardly toward each other from the edges of the unit. The ends of the unit are provided with extensions 8, preferably formed of a sheet of metal curled at one end to provide a hollow cylindrical clip extension 9 elongated transversely of the unit and having a length substantially half of the width of the unit. The center of the curl is positioned the same dis tance from the end of the unit as from the outer side thereof, so that the units maybe joined together. The curls 9 are arranged in pairs at each end of the unit, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the curls at the right of the unit (see Fig. 2) being positioned at the back of the unit and the curls at the left of the figure being positioned at the front of the unit. The curls are attached integrally, as by means of rivets, to the sides of the unit adjacent to the open back. The ends of the flanges 6 and 7 are cut away so that the extensions may be riveted in place.

The flanges 6 and 7 are provided with a series of groups 10 of attaching holes, there being a small hole 11 and a large hole 12 in 1 each group, equally spaced from the center of the group. The small holes are of a size toneatly receive attaching bolts 13 and the large holes 12 have a diameter'slightly exceeding the maximum diameter of the round heads of the bolts 13.

The-units 1 are elongated and are preferably formed about three feet long and about one and onehalf inches square, and are adapted to be positioned together in pairs, as

-' shown in Figs. 3 and 7, with the backs of the members of a pair adjacent and coextensive. The partition shown in Fig. 4 is constructed of number of'upright's 14 and cross-rails 15 between which are held the glasses 16 and sheets or panels 17 formed of metal or other suitable rigid material. A doorway is provided by omitting the first cross-rail as shown in this figure. The uprights and cross-rails are each formed of a pair of mating units 1 of exactly similar construction and adapted to be interchangeable. The curls 9 at the ends of the units are positioned so that when two mating units of .a

'pair are arranged in position the curls in line at the ends of the units will have a space therebetween to receive the curls of adjoining and attaching units by locating the curls on a side of a unit at its diagonally opposite corners. Thus when two units of a pair are placed in position the bolt 13 which attaches the panel 17 to the flange of one of the units will have its head received in the larger hole of the mating unit. The curls'9 at the ends of the units are hollow so as to receive the through members orrorlls 18 which have a length twice the width of the units. The ends of these rods are provided with internal threads to receive attaching bolts 19. Pairs of joining units are therefore held rigidly in place when the bolts 19 are threaded into the rods 18.

The panels 17, formed merely of a single sheet of metal, are provided with holes 20, all of the same size with the exception of the larger holes at the corners. These holes 20 are arranged in groups so spaced and symmetrically positioned as to agree with the spacing of the holes in the units 1. For

example the distance from the center of the group at the first station from a corner of a panel is a distance whom the end of i the unit 1 equal to the distance a of the first group of holes in the unit. The remainingmetrical about the center and from the ends of the units and of the panels. Each panel is attached to four of the units by means of the bolts 13, the open sides 5 ot' the units permitting the placing of the nuts in the inside of the units. rails and uprights on one side of the partition are then placed so as to receive the heads of the bolts and conceal the same;

and the curls 9 of these units, being over the ends of the rods 18, hold the units assembled and in position but permits the removal at any time of the units on one side of the panel without the disassembly of the entire panel. The hollow space withinthe unit is adapted to receive electrical wiring and electrical connections may thus be supplied to any part of the partition by this wiring extendmg either vertically or horizontally through the units. Outlets may be provided at suitable locations, preferably at the joints at the ends of the units.

The glass pieces 16--are held in position by means of thin' sheets of metal having more or less resiliency and bent in angular formation as shown in Fig. 3 to form a pair of glass retainers 21, which are provided along their flanges 22 with a group of holes 23 consisting of a pair of holes spaced a distance apart 0 corresponding to the spacing c ofthe holes of the groups in the panels and in the units themselves. The flanges 22 are received-between the backs of a pair of units 1 in the same manner as the attachment of the panels 17 and are both attached to the flange of one unit. The assembly of a pair of glass retainers 21 on each of the four sides of the glass by means of the bolts 13 which are attached to one side of the pane? only, permits the sidewise removal of the four units on the other side of the panel by merely disconnecting them at their ends, so as to permit the replacement of glass without the disassembly of-other parts of the panel.

The corners at the joint of two or more pairs of units are preferably closed by means of square plates 24 which are provided with countersunk holes for the reception of the round-headed bolts 19 which are threaded The front units, both cross-- placed by other plates having a right angle extension which forms a hinge 25 through which a hin e pin is passed. this hinge pin in turn hol ing the hinge 26. Doorstops or j ambs 27 formed for a bent sheet of metal. are held between mating units as shown in Fig. 3, and are provided with attaching holes mating with the holes in the units 1.

building indicated at 29.

. tively.

Instead of providing'a cross-rail 15 attached tothe ceiling as shown in Fig. 4, the.

panels 17 may be rigidly held at their lower ends between apair of units as shown in Fi 7 and their upper ends held between a pair of angle irons 28 which are bolted or screwed to the ceiling or upper wall of the This arrangement is particularly adapted to a building where the ceiling is of uneven formation, as the angle irons 28 may be made to have more or less flexibility so as to conform to the shape of the ceiling or upper wall. The panels 17 may be merely held between the angles 28 without using attaching bolts. 1n case of an uneven floor, a strip of metal may be provided having upturned ends under the bottom units 1 to provide a neat closure for the bottom of the partition.

' Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate theattaching clip or curl plate 30 having a length twice the width of one of the units 1 and provided with two pairs of curls or extensions 31 similar to the extensions on the units themselves. The space between the curls 31 on one side of the plate is adapted to receive the curls of the units to which it is attached. These curl plates are provided with holes-32 which term means for attachment by screws 33 to the floor, wallor ceiling of the building. These curl plates complete the fourth side or the third and fourth sides of a joint of three and of two pairs of units respec- The holes within the curls 31 are. of course. adapted to receive the rods 18. If desired in special cases the unit 1 may be attached directly by means of a curl plate, as shown in Fig. 5. to the floor or wall.

\Vhere two partitions intersect they are attached together by an arrangement as shown in Fig. 8. The two uprights or units 1 of one partition indicated generally by the numeral 34. have an end plate 24 at. one side. this plate being replaced on the opposite si-de of the partition by a angle iron 35 which is attached at the various joints at the ends of the uprights oi the partition by flat-headed countersunk screws or bolts 36. extending into the ends of the rods 13. The angle iron 35 has a side 37 which extends outwardly and which forms a vertical strip of metal which is received between flanges of a pair of other vertical uprights 3S and 39 of the partition 40. The through members or rods 13 of the partition 40 extend through holes suitably provided in'the vertical strip 37 and thus rigidly unite the two partitions together.

Obviously my invention is applicable to other uses than for the construction of partitions of buildings, and although the preferred sect-ions are square for use in partitions, they may be of other rectangular forms when used for the construction of shelves, cases, store counters, etc. Various modifications may be made withoutv departing from the spirit or scope of my invention and I do not intend to be limited to the precise form which has been chosen for purposes of illustration.

l claim:

1. An elongated hollow square sheet metal structural part having one side open along its length at the center only and having the other three sides closed, an rovided w th a pair of parallel spaced cylinc rical extensions at each end thereof extending toward said open side, said extensions being located at the corners of the ends and having a length approximately one-half the width of said part for the purpose described.

2. An elongated hollow square sheet metal structural part having oneside open along its length at the center only and having the other 'three sides closed. and provided with a pair of parallel'spaced cylindrical extensions at each end thereof extending toward said open side. said extensions being located at the corners of the ends and having a length approximately one-half the width of said part. the end extensions on a side of said part being situated on diagonally opposite corners of said side.

3. An elongated rectangular hollow sheet metal structural part having one side open along its length at the center only, and the other sides closed and extensions at its ends arranged in adjacent pairs for detachable connection with similar extensions of other structural parts, each side adjacent the open side having extensions arranged at its diagonally opposite corners.

4. A rectangular elongated structural part having a pair of extensions at each end thereof adapted to be detachably connected to other similar extensions of other structural parts, the extensions being arranged on two opposite sides of the part at diagonally opposite corners of a side. I

A hollow rectangular elongated structural part having three sides closed and the fourth side open along its length at the center only to provide inwardly extending opposed flanges. extensions at its endsfor connection with extensions of other structuralparts. said flanges having a series of attaching holes therein for the purpose described.

(3. A hollow rectangular elongated structural part having three sides closed and the fourth side open along its length at the center enly to provide a pair of inwardly extending flanges. said flanges being provided with a series of holes arranged in groups symmetrically spaced from the ends of the part.

7. A hollow rectangular elongated s ructural part having three sides closed and the fourth side open along its length at the center only to provide a pair of inwardly extending flanges, said flanges being provided part, there being a large and a small hole in each group spaced lengthwise of the part so that the small holes may receive attaching bolts, and means at the ends of said part adapted for detachable connection to other structural parts.

9. A hollow rectangular elongated structural part having three sides closed and the fourth side open along its length at the cen ter only to provide a pair of inwardly extending flanges, saidflanges being provided With a series of holes arranged in groups symmetrically spaced from the ends of the part, there being a large and a small hole in each group spaced lengthwire of the part so that the small holes may rece ve attaching bolts, and a pair of extensions of hollow elongated form at each end of said part adapted to be aligned with and connected to similar extensions'ot other structural parts.

10. In a metallic structure. in combination, a series of hollow elongated structural parts, each having three sides closed and a fourth side open along its length at the center to provide opposed flanges extending along the fourth side, said parts being ar ranged in adjacent pairs with the open sides of adjacent parts parallel, panels attached to the flanges of onl one ofsaid parts of each pair,,all of said parts having attaching elements at their ends, and means at the ends of the parts for interconnecting joining parts.

11. A knock-down sheet metal frame structure comprising a series of hollow uprights joining with a series of similarcrossrails, said uprights and cross-rails having means at their ends by which they are interconnected, and having one side open along its length at the center only to provide flanges extending toward each other from the edges, panels, bolts attaching the edges of said panels to the said flanges, said flanges being provided with a series of groups of holes symmetrically spaced along their lengths, there being a large hole and a small hole in each group, said uprights and crossn'ails being arranged in pairs with their open sides close together so that the heads of said bolts are received within the large holes in the flanges of the adjacent cross-rail or upright.

ward each other from the edges, rods having a length substantially twice the width of the uprightsextending through said projections transversely of the partition to interconnect the same, a cover plate on each side of the partition at each joint, panels, bolts attaching the edges of said panels to the said flanges, said flanges being provided with a series of groups of holes symmetrically spaced along their lengths, there being a large hole and a small hole in each group, said uprights and-cross-rails being arranged in pairs with their open sides close together so that the heads of said bolts are received within the large holes in the flanges of the adjacent cross-rail or upright.

13. A hollow rectangular sheet metal structural pert, having at each end a pair of elongated hollow extension members, adapted to be detachably connected to similar extension members of other parts, the members of a pair being spaced apart adjacent to each other atone side of the part and at an opposite side of the part from the pair at its other end.

14. In a building structure for partitions and the like. an elongated square sheet metal structural unit having three closed sides and having the fourth side open along its center only with inwardly extending flanges forming the fourth side, said flanges having attaching holes adapted to cooperate with attaching screws for the attachment of panel pieces. I

15. A rigid frame construction. comprising a series of similar interchangeable elongated sheet metal structural members arranged to form a series of rectangles with each rectangle made up of a number of said members, projections extending end-wise at the ends of each of the members, and means extending transversely of the frame and through said projections for detachably fastening said projections rigidly together, the length of the members defining the shape and size of the rectangles.

16. A rigid frame construction, comprising a series of similar interchangeable elongated structural members arranged to form a series of rectangles with each rectangle made up of a number of said members lying flush in a common plane, means projecting end-wise at the ends of the members. and attaching means interlocking therewith for detachably fastening them rigidly together,

the length of the members defining the shape and size of the rectangles, and a cover plate for completing the joint at the ends of connected members.

17. A rigid partition frame, comprising a series of similar elongated sheet metal structural parts arranged to form a series of rectangles with each rectangle defined by a number of said members lying flush in a common plane, projections extending end- Wise at the ends of the members so as to interlock with similar projections at the ends of intersecting members, connecting rods extending transversely of the frame for detachably fastening said projections together, the length of the members defining the shape and size of the rectangles, a cover plate for completing the joint at the ends of connected members at each side of the partition, and means connecting said cover plate to said rods.

18. As an article of manufacture, a structural unit adapted to-be assembled in va rious Ways with other similar units to form a rigid structure, comprising an elongated structural part:- having substantial width and thickness and having a pair of parallel spaced non-aligned side extensions at one end of substantially tubular form adapted to be aligned and interlocked with similar complementary extensions of other similar structural parts extending perpendicularly to said part to join said parts rigidly together.

19. A hollow sheet metal structural part adapted to be detachably assembled in various ways with other similar parts to form a rigid structure comprising an elongated member having at each end a pair of extension members adapted to be detachably connected to similar extension members of other parts, the members of a pair being spaced apart adjacent to each other at one end of the part and located on opposite side corners of the part from the pair at its other end.

20. In a building structure for partitions and the like, an elongated hollow sheet metal standard constructional unit having one side open along its center with laterally extend- -ing flanges forming the said one side, said flanges having attaching holes spaced apart according to a predetermined standard spacing and adapted to cooperate with attaching screws for the attachment of panel ieces and attaching means at each end t ereo for rigidly attaching said unit to other similar units.

21. As an article of manufacture, a structural unit adapted to be assembled with other structural units to form a rigid structure, comprising an elongated structural body part having an end extension projecting from one side thereof adapted to be attached to a similar end extension of another structural part, said end extension having a passage therethrough extending crosswise of said unit, the transverse distance between the center of said passage and the side of the unit being equal to the distance. between the center of the passage and the end of the said body part, and being considerably less than half the width of the unit.

22. As an article of manufacture, a structural unit adapted to be assembled in various ways with other structural units to form a rigid structure, comprising an elongated square hollow sheet metal body part having a pair of spaced parallel non-aligned extensions at one end thereof adapted to be attached to similar end extensions of other structural parts, said end extensions each having a passage therethrough extending crosswise of said unit, the traverse distance between the center of said passage and the adjacent side of the unit being equal to'the longitudinal distance between the center of the passage and the end of thesaid body part.

23. In a metallic structure, in combination, a series of hollow elongated structural uprights joining with a series of similar crossrails, said uprights and cross-rails having interlocking projections provided with laterally extending passages therethrough, panels associated therewith, one side of said uprights and cross-rails having means for holding said panels in place, the uprights and cross-rails being arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the panels, rods having a length substantially twice the width of the uprights and extending transversely of the structure whereby each rod extends through the aligned passages of a pair of uprights and a pair of cross-rails.

'In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15 day of February, 1926.

' URBAN C. THIES. 

